How Much Does Landscaping Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

On average, landscaping costs range between $1,249 and $6,281, with the average cost of front or backyard landscaping being $3,650. Landscape costs can vary based on several factors, including project scope, property size, and ongoing maintenance expenses. For example, planting a few flowers, shrubs, or trees is much more affordable than installing a walkway, and you’ll spend even more on a new patio or outdoor kitchen. Knowing these numbers upfront—and the factors that influence them—helps you build a realistic budget and achieve the outdoor space you’ve been envisioning.

Landscaping Cost Factors

Many factors influence your landscaping costs, including the required materials, yard size, location, and the type and scope of the project.

Materials

Softscaping projects may only call for a handful of shrubs, plants, or trees. Hardscaping—think decks, outdoor kitchens, ponds, or pools—quickly raises the tab because you’re adding higher‑end materials such as stone, concrete, and specialty lumber.

Yard Size

Landscaping costs often increase in proportion to the size of your yard. Depending on the project, expect to pay between $4.50 and $12 per square foot. For significant projects, like remodeling or building an outdoor kitchen, prices may increase to $40 per square foot.

Location

In general, backyard landscaping costs are higher than front yard costs. A full backyard renovation averages between $15,000 and $50,000, while front yard landscaping ranges from $1,500 to $5,000.

Backyard 

For a simple upgrade like adding shrubs, you’ll pay roughly $25 to $300 each. Looking to go bigger? Budget $6,000 to $25,000 for an outdoor kitchen, $20,000 to $65,000 for pool materials, or $2,000 to $5,800 for a new patio.

Front Yard 

Front yards usually cost less to revamp because most projects lean on plants and sod instead of big‑ticket hardscaping.

Front yard landscaping costs may include a front porch or deck design, but homeowners often focus more on adding flowers, trees, and shrubs. Expect to pay up to $3,000 for a flower bed, while planting multiple trees could cost upwards of $2,500.

Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Cost

If you live in a drought-prone area, landscape and garden designers are likely well-versed in creating water conservation projects. Both synthetic turf and xeriscaping can save you money over time by saving water and labor.

• Indigenous planting: Instead of xeriscaping, which utilizes drought-resistant plants, you can also consider incorporating native (also called indigenous) plants from your area into your hardscaping design. These plants thrived before modern irrigation and do well in your climate without help.

• Synthetic turf: Synthetic grass costs between $2 and $6 per square foot and can provide the swaths of green you want without watering. Synthetic grasses have evolved significantly, becoming softer and more natural-looking over the past decade.

Water Features and Decor

For a more inviting backyard space, you​​​​ can add unique water features to your landscape project. Prices vary significantly depending on the project. Water fountain costs can be as low as $150, while pool installation (materials) costs $20,000 to $65,000.

Installation Costs

Landscaping for a new home costs significantly more than improving an existing space. Starting from scratch, you can expect to pay 10% of the property's value on landscaping. For example, if you have a $300,000 home, you'll pay $30,000 for landscaping, including hardscaping, softscaping, and water features.

You’ll likely need help from several professionals, including local lawn seeding services, local gardeners, local tree services, or even a paving company.

Labor

You can DIY smaller jobs like planting shrubs, pruning, or mowing, but bigger makeovers call for a local landscaper. For full backyard builds, you may also consider hiring a landscape designer, as well as carpenters, plumbers, or electricians for features such as decks, pools, and outdoor kitchens.

Landscapers charge an average of $50 to $100 per hour for labor and the use of their tools and equipment. If you hire a landscape designer, you'll pay them $50 to $150 per hour for the initial design and planning work.

Landscaping Maintenance Costs

After the initial landscaping installation, you’ll need to consider ongoing maintenance costs. This could mean hiring local lawn fertilization services and lawn mowing teams or paying gardeners to care for your flowers. Patios and pools require special maintenance each year.

Expect to spend $270 to trim a tree, while lawn‑mowing visits fall between $50 and $250.

Cost by Landscaping Type

There are three main types of landscaping: softscaping, hardscaping, and xeriscaping. Softscaping work is generally more affordable than hardscaping and xeriscaping, but much of the price depends on the scope of each project.

Softscaping 

Softscaping refers to the soil, lawn, and plants of your outdoor space. It could be as simple as reseeding the lawn or as complex as installing a brand-new flower bed to add color throughout the summer.

Softscaping costs between $800 and $10,000, depending on the scope of your installation. Adding a single bush to your softscaping can cost as little as $25. However, installing sod and planting flower beds can cost $10,000 or more.

Hardscaping 

Hardscaping, which involves adding inanimate features such as patios, walkways, and gazebos, costs anywhere from $300 to $30,000 or more. The only limits on price are the size of your yard, design, and budget. Pea gravel installation costs as little as $100, while retaining walls cost up to $9,000. For significant projects, like an outdoor kitchen or patio building, you may pay over $25,000.

For many of these hardscaping projects, you may also need to budget for the cost of a building permit.

Xeriscaping Cost

Xeriscaping costs $3,000 to $24,000 and covers your entire outdoor area, from the front yard to the back. Xeriscaping utilizes plants, shrubs, ground covers, and rocks that need very little water to thrive. Common xeriscaping expenses include the cost of rock installation and the cost of landscape edging . While far more expensive than simple sod, the maintenance and water costs are low by design.

Landscaping Cost by Project Type

Individual flowers, trees, and shrubs each come with their own landscaping costs, which vary based on the plant's size and the installation's complexity. The table below offers average prices for various planting services.

Planting Trees

Planting a tree costs between $100 and $2,500, and you’ll have to plan for long-term care. Over the years, you’ll also need to budget for:

• Tree trimming: $270–$1,800

• Tree removal: $200–$2,000

Planting Shrubs

Landscapers charge $25 to $300 per shrub for both the purchase and installation. They calculate the price based on two to three times the cost of the shrub plus $50 to $100 per hour. Shrubs are priced per three- or five-gallon container and tend to be small bushes and trees.

Flower Bed Installation

Installing a flower garden costs $800 to $3,000, depending on the size and whether you already have the bed installed.

Many people want a local landscaper to design their lawns and gardens, but enjoy tending to their flowers and planting new ones each year.

Sod and Artificial Turf Installation

Installing sod costs an average of $950 to $4,300. Artificial turf installation costs an average of $2 to $6 per square foot. Real grass is less expensive up front, but you need to consider the ongoing maintenance costs (like hiring a local lawn care service) if you’re unwilling or unable to do the upkeep yourself.

Additional Landscaping Costs

Landscaping costs vary significantly based on the scope of work, from simple planting or mulch installation to more complex design work and land grading and excavation costs.

Landscape Design

When hiring landscape designers, expect to spend $50 to $150 per hour. Sometimes called landscape architects, these professionals plan cohesive outdoor spaces encompassing soft and hardscapes. They work within your budget to create a space you love.

Land Grading

Regrading a yard costs between $390 and $6,110. You might need to budget for the cost to level your yard to direct water away from a foundation or to retain moisture in a garden. With grading, you may also need to budget for the cost of land clearing.

Mulch Installation

Mulching a garden costs between $30 and $1.20 per cubic yard.

Sprinklers and Irrigation

The cost to install a sprinkler or irrigation system in your yard ranges from $1,700 to $3,550. These systems require upkeep over time. If the system fails, you’ll spend between $130 and $400 on sprinkler repair costs.

Does Landscaping Increase Home Value?

Smart landscaping can give your home’s value a solid boost, though the exact bump depends on your location, project type, and market conditions.

Budgeting for Landscape Installation

Landscaping costs vary greatly depending on the size and scope of the project. To keep costs down, consider the following money-saving tips:

• Check with garden centers for bulk discounts on plants and materials.

• Gather a few quotes from local landscapers before you commit.

• Consider a landscape designer; a solid plan often saves money long‑term.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 30,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.